Sangeeta Goswami’s enterprise, Technosoft Engineering Services specialised in the manufacturing and distribution of software for infrastructural engineering applications since 1997. They provide detail engineering and design services for various projects.

In conversation with GlobalLinker (GL), Sangeeta shares her business journey.

GL: Sangeeta, Technosoft Engineering Services was established way back in 1997. Share with us the evolution of your business.

Sangeeta: In the late 90s when our company was established in Kolkata, it was a period when the Microsoft Windows (3.1) was at a very primitive stage. Most of the softwares for engineering applications were either executable in MS-DOS or Unix Xwindows Workstations, which used to be very expensive for general buyers. Techsoft started developing engineering software HEADS for Microsoft Windows 95. At that time HEADS was “All inclusive”, Highway Design, Bridge Design, Railway Design, Airport Design, Irrigation Canal Dyke Design etc.

HEADS was procured by various government and private sector organisations. It was enlisted by The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India, Tamil Nadu Road Sector Project, Mumbai Metropolitan Development Authority, Royal Government of Bhutan, National Highways Authority of India, CRRI, IITs etc.

During the upgrading of our flagship product HEADS, it was found that to develop various facets in one product was difficult and distribution to users were not relevant to their needs. For instance, their need may be for road construction, but they are supplied with unwanted modules like dam design, airport design, railway design etc. It was then decided to break HEADS Pro as separate products for individual applications that may be distributed to users matching their requirements, at a lower price.

The development of products was done identifying the basic need by the industry, that are mainly government departments. The investment by government of India in road development across the country is in largest stage in the history. Similarly, there are other departments like Irrigation, Mining (Coal India Limited (CIL) Professionals, Contractors, Consultants that are also taking parts in the massive infrastructure development in India and other countries. All these are in desperate need to procure software with essential and advanced features like satellite-based applications. The products of Techsoft Engineering Services (I) Pvt. Ltd. are developed to provide the user sector the best technology for their work.

Sangeeta: Our products have the largest features, latest technology with satellite-based data processing and technical support. The products are continuously being upgraded (presently with Release 23) to keep them in tune with upgradation of Microsoft Windows, Intel hardware core standard and other platforms like AutoCAD etc. to make the production compatible and exchangeable with other products.

I lay a lot of emphasis on lead generation, product development and stellar quality. I make sure this spirit is internalised by every team member.

GL: What has been the most effective way of raising awareness about your business?

Sangeeta: In our line of work it’s very important to establish contacts with various government departments. Most of the Indian states have 4 departments related to road development. These are the PWD (National Highways), PWD (State Highways), Rural Road development under Pradhan Matri Gram Sadak Yojana and Highway/Road Development Corporation Limited who are developing roads in Public Private Participation (PPP) mode for commercial use by toll collection and generate revenues. Apart from that there are other departments like Director General Border Roads/Border Roads Organization (DGBR/BR), Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH), National Highways Authority of India, Survey of India (SOI, under the Ministry of Defence) who are constructing highways-Bridges-Tunnels by determining the project viability. The investment by Government of India in road development across the country is in largest stage in the history. Exploring the facilities like Government e-Market (GeM), Engineering Export Promotion Council (EEPC) and establishing contacts with these departments for procurement in bulk quantities for state wise distribution of the products to relevant state departments generates enormous revenue for us.

Advertisements in monthly magazines and Journals like Indian Roads Congress (IRC) etc. is also useful. For international business the Commercial Officers in various High Commissions, Embassies, Consulates and the procurement officer in the World Bank ensures business in the overseas market.

GL: What are challenges for your business to grow bigger, better and faster from here?

Sangeeta: Funds and creating a team of marketing professionals to contact potential domestic and international buyers are our main challenges. These have restricted our activities in product development, and we are solely dependent on the dealers and distributors for business, which is very uncertain.

GL: What is your leadership style?

Sangeeta: Our organisation structure is very small. As Director I am co-ordinating with resellers and distributors to follow up for business opportunities. I lay a lot of emphasis on lead generation, product development and stellar quality. I make sure this spirit is internalised by every team member.

GL: You are a Linker. Which offerings of GlobalLinker have helped you?

Sangeeta: GlobalLinker is a great platform to network with other entrepreneurs. We are making meaningful connections on GlobalLinker and are looking forward to generating more business leads.

GL: We would love to know the person behind the entrepreneur.

Every day you wake up at - 6:30 am

The first thing you do when you wake up - Check SMS, Whatsapp, missed calls

Three things you do to unwind/ relax - Praying to God, listening to music and thinking of my pending/missed tasks

When you face a big challenge - I try to identify the proper persons to discuss and their advice to proceed. Next I select the course of action.

The best piece of advice you’ve ever been given - Don’t hurry, think twice

The one book everyone should read - Life and Experiences of a Bengali Chemist by Prafulla Chandra Ray